So Dale brought over the 960 for a little inspection session today. One of these days we're going to try and fit these:



Where these are:



Those are BMW E36 M3 headers. Same port shape, same port spacing. Flange is different, and we`ll probably have to angle them on the Volvo flanges we`re getting. If we had known then what we knew now, we probably wouldn`t have bought these ones - If the flanges weren`t notched in between the runners, we could have drilled the bottom row and notched the top row of bolts to make them `fit`, but we still might have had troubles with them hitting the frame rails.

Anyway, I noticed a little chunk of rubber sticking out from in between the timing belt cover pieces, so Dale decided he`d check. Good thing he had just bought a timing belt and had it with him, `cause this is what we found:






The tensioner was loose and was being pulled down by the belt, misaligning things enough to try and force the belt forwards and into the timing belt cover. It actually cut through in a couple places:



Good thing it`s only a 30,000 km belt change interval, and Dale was prepared to change it this weekend anyway...

Pfft don't you know thats the high performance low weight timing belt?

Yikes. That could have been ugly.

That header is certainly NOT ugly. Holy sweet mother of pearl. So Beth's car is getting some performance upgrades....will there be a new exhaust following that header?

The question is "Does Beth know about the upgrades"
Sweet looking headers, ugle timing belt (the Volvo gods were smiling upon you Dale)

That timing belt might have lasted another 1000km or could've broken on the way home. Crazy though. I'm pretty sure Matt was in charge of tightening the tensioner pulley when we put it together the last time...

Beth is aware of the performance upgrades. By eyeballing it today it looks like it should fit without too much effort. The complicated part will be getting the BMW flange off and welding on a more suitable one. And Greg, yes, it will be getting an upgraded exhaust. I know of this 3" system...

Don't you be lying on this here board, son.

Ah yes, the sound will be sweet with the exhaust.

After much cursing and bruising knuckles, forearms and elbows, the O2 sensor has now been replaced. I reset the codes and my check engine light has gone out and stayed out

And the car goes like it has 200hp now. Can't wait to get some headers and a free-flowing exhaust on there...

headers open those things right up. dooo itttt